I've been using the pack liner technique for several years now, but still kept my shelter in a stuff sack (oversize). A quick test at home this weekend showed me that packing my shelter loose will offer much more flexibility in packing.

Bought the Kindle version of the book -- it's great. It challenges you to think about your choices...

When I use an inflatable torso pad what I do is fold it length-wise in half, then line the inside of the pack so that the pad forms a "U" shape from the back down to the bottom of the pack and back up the front. I make sure to leave the inflation valve accessible. Then I pack the pack as usual. When everything is inside I blow into the valve to inflate the pad as much as possible. It tightens the pack up and creates quite a stiff frame, plus provides a soft padding against the back.

I have two of Mike's previous books, "Alan and Mikes Really Cool Backpacking Book," and "Lighten Up," and I must say that they are my two favorite backpacking technique books. Simple, funny and to the point. I read both of them cover to cover. Now I just skim through them and look at the drawings to refresh my memory.

I don't always agree with everything, for example the cloud method of packing a sleeping bag didn't work for me, but I haven't found anything better as a guide for ultralight backpacking. You really can't go wrong with any of Mike's books.

I just bought Mike Clelland's latest book (the Kindle version for my iPad) after variously enjoying/learning from/disagreeing with/fully agreeing with/being entertained by so many of his posts and articles here. I must say that I find this book to be an absolute gem that's hard to put down. Now I can't wait to get my hands on his two previous books. Thanks for putting together a thoroughly enjoyable read!

Great tip about sleeping under the stars, but not in the ADK's!
on 06/22/2011 08:48:03 MDT

Mike, I have no doubt that sleeping under the stars is great. Many times I have set up the tarp and simply laid down to take a nap only to wake up at midnight to hang the bear bag and dig my bag out. Many nights we get a heavy fog or light rain in the mountans of the north east. Usually about 50/50 I would say. My last trip (8 nights) was typical...rain some part of every day. Well, it IS spring...

I misread a storm (actually 3 lightning storms and 1 rain storm) one night and set up the tarp a bit off center. The wind shifted and dampened the bag and shoes. But yes, never sleep in wet cloths. My sleeping cloths are *not* pj's. They are my insulation layer if things get really bad. One extra pair of wool socks, one mid weight smartwool shirt, one mid weight long john pants. If I do not need these for the morning, they get packed with the sleeping bag. These are *always* as dry as is possible. My pants, shirt, and rain jacket may be soaked, but, I will be sleeping comfortably. If needed, I can wear these for a while...they dry farly quickly. After several days of rain, they can get quite damp, but still do the job.

Astrobivying looks mighty nice and easy to emplace, though tempting to bring a star chart and iPod. A bivy w/a taller entrance, yet lighter than the OR advanced bivy to avoid the stuffiness when sealed up would be nice.

I had a GoLite Utopia tent that was great for stargazing as the door was like a Gothic arch and I could open it to see a lot of night sky. I've seen meteorite showers and satellites. It didn't provide bug protection while open and that door let in rain while getting in and out in a shower, but it could be zipped up in a second if it started raining.

I've seen tunnel tent designs that allowed unzipping/rolling back the fly for a star gazing view.

Doing crunches to keep warm in your sleeping bag only works if you're just slightly chilled. I speak from experience that if you wake up shivering in the middle of the night doing a few minutes of crunches 'aint gona' do diddly to warm up / keep you warm until morning.

Mike -- I love your cartoons! I got the Kindle version of your book because I'm trying to lighten up in the rest of my life and the zoom function does not work for inline graphics. I'm sure Amazon is getting flack for this and is promising authors they're working on something... but is there any way you could give readers a work-around until Amazon is done? Maybe ask for some identifier in the book to unlock a pdf on your site?

Regarding tip #99 'wearing all your clothes to bed'. How do you get around your hiking clothes being wet from sweat or rain? I usually carry "pajamas" (light base-layer top/bottoms, hat, gloves, and extra dry socks) because my hiking clothes are always too wet from sweat when I go to bed. Also they are very dirty and wearing dirty clothes in my sleeping bag will dirty the bag (which I believe will eventually reduce its ability to keep me warm). One thing to note is I generally hike 'thru-hiking style' (long miles, hike all day and jump into bed). I would love to reduce my weight by leaving the pajamas at home but I am not convinced thats a good idea (for me). Any additional insights or ideas?

Would you take a base layer anyway? I do! Ditto the hat and socks. I therefore don't consider my base layer (which I wear to bed at night) as extra clothes or "pajamas" but as an additional layer for cold nights and mornings. On a frosty morning, I'll put on my hiking clothes (plus all of the rest of my gear) over the base layer and not remove the base layer until I am ready to start hiking for the day. It has to be really cold (like well below freezing) for me to hike in my base layer, but I definitely need it around camp as well as in the sleeping bag. Like you, I don't want to crawl into my sleeping bag with wet or grubby clothes. Even if I did, though, I'd add the base layer!

I would draw the line at wearing rain gear and I wouldn't wear muddy/dirty pants unless it was really cold. Soft shell pants are great in that case.

I do work silkweight long johns into my shoulder season clothing list and I use a Power Stretch hoodie or vest for mid-layer insulation, which all make excellent sleep clothing. The Power Stretch hoodie plus my windshirt is equal to something like a Thermawrap jacket, although it is a bit heavier. I do like the versatility and I get a hood (read fleece beanie) and some hand coverage in the bargain. I've always railed at carrying something like a Thermawrap plus a windshirt--- too many shell layers. The Power Stretch provides highly breathable insulation and it works well in wet conditions. Patagonia Cap4 or R1 would do the same trick. They are excellent in conjunction with a rain shell too. Silkweight long johns and rain pants are the only way to fly in all-day cold rain.

You can certainly sleep in insulation layers like light synthetic or down jackets, along with something like a bottom base layer and wind pants. It makes more sense to me to have the option of the insulating clothing and count on that as part of the lower temperature for my sleep system. You can't wear most sleeping bags on the trail or around camp (there are some quilts that can be worn in camp).

If you carry a 20F bag for actual 20F sleep plus insulating clothing for the same temps, you have needless duplication and weight--- the combined system could go to much lower temps. You could dial back to a 32F bag and wear your insulation, saving a pound or more. You end up with more trapped air layers and you don't feel the air leaks in your bag with the extra sleep layers on.